howardj said:
Well, while all the focus has been on who will win the Urn at the Oval, in what will be a gripping denouement to the series, that it will be Richie Benaud's last Test match as a TV commentator in England, has somewhat slipped under the radar.
Will Richie do a victory/farewell lap of the ground, on Boycott's shoulders; be drenched by a tonne of Gatorade - what send off will they give him?
And what are your favourite memories of Richie?
Is that true? I had thought this would be his last year commentating, but I thought I'd read that he'd signed a new three-year contract (this would have been for Channel 9 in AUS, but I'd have assumed it would mean he'd keep working for Ch4 as well)...
Anyhow, there are many great memories of Richie. Usually his incredible dry humor. The funny thing is he doesn't actually laugh out loud very often. I remember one time he did - it was a few years ago now, I can't remember exactly who we were playing, but I recall Warnie putting his head through the stumps at the bowlers' end during a bungled run-out attempt. It was certainly one of the funniest things I'd seen, and Richie spent the next half-hour or so struggling to make comments while he chuckled about it (strangely, he sounded exactly like the twelfh-man comedian, Billy Birmingham, had imagined it might sound when Richie laughed).
Another favorite moment was around 2003, I think, when there was one of those hail-storms you sometimes get up in Brisbane. Apparently the Ch9 crew were nervous about being struck by lightning, and wanted to get the hell out of Dodge. Richie announced this extremely hurriedly, looking absolutely white (even more so than usual) - I dunno why but my wife and I found it absolutely hilarious. We basically went to an ad-break with clouds heavily threatening, and returned with Richie muttering "see you later then".
To be honest, I feel that Richie hasn't been as good as he once was in recent years (I'm sure he's aware of this, and it's why he's contemplating retirement) - his exchanges with Simon O'Donnell are often pretty forced, and at times he seems confused. If he's leaving now, it's good timing - he's been absolutely fantastic for the game, and he's smart enough to go out still on top, rather than becoming the cricket equivalent of Lou Richards.
A great man, a great player, a great commentator. Things certainly won't be the same without hearing his voice when the cricket's on.